Magazine throat for firearms



May 8, 1951 F. L. HuMEsToN MAGAZINE mom FOR FIREARMS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 15, 1948 May 8 1951 F. HuMEs-roN 2,552,429

MAGAZINE Tl-IROAT FDR FIREARMS Filed Sept. 15, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 L W f 5 Las f A @u fm bb @o May 3 41951 F. L. HuMEsT'o-N 2,552,429

MAGAZINE THROAT FOR FIREARMS Filed Sept. 15, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 i 61 ZH- Patented May 8, 1951 MAGAZINE THROAT Fon FIREARMS Frederick L. Humeston, Orange, Conn., assignor of one-half to The High Standard Manufacturing Corporation, Hamden, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut, and one-half to Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application September 15, 1948, Serial No. 49,313

Claims.

The present invention relates in general to firearms and more especially to improvements in repeating rearms of the tubular-magazine type.

An object of the invention is to provide superior means for transferring cartridges successively from the tubular magazine of a repeating firearm into position for introduction into the cartridge-chamber thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a repeating tubular-magazine rearm with a superior magazine-throat which is instrumental in transferring cartridges from the tubular magazine of the firearm into position for introduction into the cartridge-chamber thereof and which is eliective also as cartridge-restraining means for preventing a cartridge from moving upwardly in the magazine-throat when the breech-bolt is in breech-closing position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a repeating tubular-magazine rearm with an improved magazine-throat which embodies complementary cartridge-restraining elements movable laterally with respect to each other and operable by the breech-bolt to prevent a cartridge from tilting upwardly in the magazine-throat when the breech-bolt is in breechclosing position and to release a cartridge in the magazine-throat when the 'breech-bolt is moved rearwardly out of breech-closing position.

With the above and other objects in view, as

will appear to those skilled in the art from` the present disclosures, this invention includes all features in the said disclosure which are novel over the prior art.

In the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes:

Fig. 1 is a vertical elevation in section of the receiver of a repeating firearm of the tubularmagazine type in Which in which the present invention is incorporated and includes a fragmentary portion of the stock, barrel and tubular magazine;

Fig. 2 is a View corresponding to Fig. 1 but illustrating the position which the partsl assume after the rearm has been discharged and the breech-bolt unlocked and partially retracted;

Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2 but illustrating the position which the parts assume when the breech-bolt is in its fullyretracted position in the receiver;

Fig. 4 is a broken top plan view, with a fragmentary portion of the breech-bolt in horizontal section, of the trigger-plate of the firearm when the parts thereof are in the positions shown in Fig. 1, the cartridge-follower of the tubular magazine being indicated by broken lines;

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4 but illustrating the positions which the parts assume when the breech-bolt is partially retracted. as shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation in section of the Vreceiver and trigger-plate assembly of the rearm on line 6 6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is an end elevation in section of the receiver and trigger-plate assembly on section line 1 -l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view looking at the outer face oi one separable throat-member of the longitudinally-split magazine-throat of the firearm;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the separable throat-member of Fig. 8 looking at the inside face thereof, provided with a cartridge-guide passage and cartridge-restraining lip; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the cartridgeelevator of the magazine-throat.

The `particular firearm shown in the drawings for the purpose of illustrating one embodiment of the invention is a repeating firearm of the slide-action type and comprises, in the main, a receiver l5 having a barrel i6 secured in the forward end thereof. A buttstock l1 is secured to the rear end of the receiver by fasteningmeans indicated by the screw I8. A substantially-rectangular recess is formed vertically in the underside of the receiver to provide an action-chamber 20 which is coaxial with the cartridge-chamber 2l of the barrel I6 and superposed over an aperture 22 adapted to accommodate the trigger-plate 23 of the firearm, the receiver and trigger-plate assembly being hereinafter referred to as the frame of the firearm. A breech-bolt 24 is movably mounted in the action-chamber 20 and supported for reciprocable movement therein on the upper edges of the trigger-plate 23. A cartridge-ejection port 25 is provided in the right-hand side wall of the receiver, while the underside of the top Wall 26 thereof is formed with a notch 21 having a forwardly-and-upwardly-inclined breechbolt locking-shoulder 28. Suitably secured to the barrel is a tubular magazine 29, the latter underlying the barrel, and having a friction fit at its rear end in a counterbored aperture 30 in the front wall of the receiver, As indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the tubular magazine 29 is of approved construction common to" repeating firearms of this type and, as shown,

includes an inner tube 3| in which is housed' a spring 32 adapted to urge a cartridge-follower 33 rearwardly in the magazine for automatically feeding cartridges from the tubular magazine to the cartridge-chamber 2| of the barrel, as and in the manner'hereinafter described.

The breech-bolt 24 is adapted to be reciprocated manually in the action-chamber 2 of the,

bolt whereby forward and rearward movements of the action-slide bar impartsimilar'movements to the breech-bolt for locking and unlockingv they.

latter in breech-closing position. To these` ends, the toprsirde ofthe breech-bolt is provided at its rear endy with an upwardly-and-rearwardlysloping heel 3l `adapted to be swungup into engagenient with the shoulder 2s on the underside of thetop wall 26 of thereceiver by coaction of the cam-lugfe' o the action-slide bar with the cam-recess 3S of the breech-bolt as the action-slide is moved forwardly relative'to the barrel-unit to lockthe breech-bolt in breech-closing position; `and to be swung` downwardly out of engagement with the locking-shoulder 28 of the receiver by coaction of the cam-lug 35 of the action-slide bar with the cam-recess 36 of the breech-bolt as the action-slide bar is moved rearwardly relative to the barrel-unit to thereby open the breech and extract' and eject a spent shell from the ej ection-port of the receiver.

Further details of the breech-bolt include a vertical yaperture 38 extending longitudinally along the underside thereof and providing clearance adjacent the rear en d of the bolt for the recontrol mechanism, including the spring-actuated hammer 35 pivotally mountedv in the trigger-plate 23; and clearanceadjacentthe forward end of the bolt for the improved magazine-throat of this invention. In this connection, the forward portion of the longitudinal aperture 38 is formed with a central rib 40 depending from the top wall thereof and having 1a downwardly-and-rearwardly-sloping cam-surface 4| at its rear end for actuating the cartridge-elevator d2 of the maga- Zine-throat, as hereinafter described.

By referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the cam-surface 4l of the breech-bolt rib lalso serves as a stop `which temporarily holds the cartridge A 4in the magazine-throat from moving to its rearmost position therein.

At this point it seems fitting to point out that it is this engagement of the rim or head of the cartridge A with the underside ofthe breechbolt, 'and more particularly the rib thereof, together with the characteristic downward-swinging movement of the'rear end of the breech-bolt in unlocking the latter .from the locking-notch of the receiver which gives rise tothe need for the improved cartridge-restraining means of this invention'in' order `to positively hold the cartridge A inthe magazine-throat from moving upwardly therein prior to unlocking and moving the breechbolt rearwardly in .the receiver. It has been found that Iwhen lthe cartridge A is unrestrained it lmay readily be ,tilted Vup into the upper part of the magazine-throat by careless handling of the firearm, thereby releasing the next-succeeding Cartridge .B which WQ111d-m0ve .rearwardly inte .4 the magazine-throat beneath the cartridge A. Consequently, when the action-slide is actuated to unlock the breech-bolt the initial downwardswinging movement of the rear-end portion thereof ywould force the upper cartridge A downwardly in the magazine-throaa,thereby jamming the cartridge :against the cartridge B directly below. As a result, it might be found that it was impossible to open the breech-bolt or that one orl both of they cartridges would be damaged so as to prevent satisfactory operation of the firearm.

nOther details ,of the breech-bolt and lire-control mechanism ofthe firearm are ancillary to ar completedisclosure of the invention and hence are omitted, itbeing sufficient to point out that theAiire-control mechanism, including the hammer 39 and trigger l13,-is of any suitable construction mounted in the rear portion of the triggerplate, while the magazine-throat of this invention is secured in avertical. recess d5 in theforward end of. the triggerfplate.

The ma'gazine-.thrat is indicated generally at 45 in Figs. '1, 2 and 3, and is adapted to receive.

car.tridges whichare. fed thereto from the rear end ofthe tubulary magazine 29 by thespringpressed follower. 33, and to transfer-the cartridges. successivelyhp into the path. of -the forwardly-moving Abreech-bolt for Ymovement thereby into .the cartridge-chamber of the barrel.

The aforementioned cartridge-elevator l2 .of

tridge-elevator and forwardly ofthe pivot-pin 41 thereof,l is a second upwardly-projecting breechbolt Aengag,,n, ;lug 52`. The undersidev of the ele- VatorA .has an;4 underslungl belly-portion 53 t provided4 with a Ypin 54 `whichprojects Vtransversely therefrom forwardly. of the pivot-pin l1 of the e elevator.V The yend ofthe. pinfslly yconstitutes a I stop Vprojecting laterallymfrom the left-hand side .-of the elevatr` for the purpose `asjwill.hereinafter appear: The belly-portion751i,oftheI elevator is engaged Y by the forwardly-extending substantially-U-shaped reach55,of an elevator spring The Alatter issecuredatits rear end by a pin 51 in the vertical recess 45-of the triggerplate andhahs a lower- Yreach 58 .extendingH forwardlyfrornthe spring/56 @and adapted to engage against the bottom .ofthe verticalrecessi of the trigger-plate whereby the. upper reach ofV the springexerts a constant force on the underside of the cartridge-elevatorforwardly of its pivotpinlll, to elevaterthe forwardly-extending reach 50 thereofupwardly in the magazine-throat.

In accordance with this construction, as the- .breech-bolt is ymoved forwardly into breech-clos- 1atm@gazing.andhencewillpermit a cartridge tof.

be moved from the magazine by the spring-urged follower 33 into the magazine-throat. Where there is more than one cartridge inthe magazine, the cartridge A which is in the magazinethroat constitutes, in effect, a temporary cutoff for the next-succeeding cartridge B which, as shownin Fig. 1, is held by the first cartridge A with its rear end extending part way into the magazine-throat. n unlocking the breech-bolt, so as to open the cartridge chamber and extract a red cartridge, the rear end-portion of the breech-bolt will -be swungY downwardly, whereupon the cam-surface 4I ofthe breech-bolt rib 110 forces the cartridge A downwardly and forwardly. However, shortly after the breech-bolt begins to move rearwardly, the cartridge A is released, as will hereinafter appear, whereupon the lforce of the compressed elevator-spring G moves the elevator upwardly in the magazinethroat, as shown in Fig. 2, thereby elevating the cartridge A therein upwardly into the upper part of the throat to assume, ultimately, the position shown in Fig. 3, wherein the rear end of the cartridge A is immediately in front of the front face of the breech-bolt, the forward end of the cartridge A being held in an elevated position with respect thereto, by the forward end of the elevator. Simultaneously, the cartridge cut-off 5| of the elevator moves into the path of the next-succeeding cartridge B being delivered from the magazine-tube, thereby to stop the cartridge B in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Then, as the breech-bolt is returned into breech-closing position, the cartridge A in the upper part of the magazine-throat is engaged by the forwardlymoving breech-bolt and moved into the cartridgechamber of the barrel. At substantially the same time the cartridge A is being chambered, the forward breech-bolt engaging-lug 52 of the cartridge-elevator is engaged by the cam-surface 4i of the breech-bolt rib, whereupon the elevator is pivoted downwardly against the resistance of its spring 56, its cartridge cut-off 5| being lowered out of the path of the cartridge B so as to permit the latter to move rearwardly out of the magazine into the magazine-throat. At this point it may be pointed out that the rearwardly-extending reach of the cartridge-elevator, and more particularly the breech-bolt engaging-lug 49 thereof, is provided so that in the event the elevator-spring 4G should have insufcient force to raise the forward reach of the elevator during the rearward excursion of the breech-bolt, the breech-bolt engaging-lug 49 at the rear end of the elevator will be positively engaged by the underside of the rearwardly-moving breech-bolt to positively lift the forward end of the cartridge-elevator.

The construction of the improved magazinethroat of this invention is concerned primarily with means for effectively holding a cartridge in the magazine-throat 46 from being moved or tilted upwardly therein by indiscretionary use of the firearm when the breech-bolt is in breechclosing position, as shown in Fig. l, in which event the next-succeeding cartridge in the magazine would be released prematurely and cause the cartridges to jam in the magazine-throat when the breech-bolt is unlocked, as hereinabove described. To prevent this circumstance, the magazine-throat comprises two separable substantially-complementary throat-members Bil and 6i respectively, which in the preferred construction comprise die-cast metal blanks embodying substantially-rectangular body-portions` 62 and- 53 respectively, provided with rearwardly-eX-- tending reaches 64 and 65 having transverse apertures 65 and 6.7 adapted to receive opposite ends respectively of the pin 4l of the cartridgeelevator, which serve to secure the rearwardlyextending reaches of the respective separable throat-members of the magazine-throat in the vertical recess 45 of the trigger-plate. In this connection, the aperture G6 of the right-hand throat-member 6U is of slightly greater diameter than the diameter of the pin 'i, whereby the right-hand throat-member 60 fits loosely on the pin and hence is Vcapable of limited pivotal or rocking-movement laterally to and from the lefthand throat-member 6I for the purpose hereinafter described. Extending forwardly from the forward edges of the body-portions of the separable throat-members Gli and 6I are integral semicylindrical collar-portions 68 and 69 respectively, the forward edges of which are adapted to abut against the rear end of the tubular maga- Zine when the magazine-throat is assembled in the recess of the trigger-plate. Depending from the forward ends of the body-portions of the separable throat-members are integral tongue-portions 'l and il respectively, having transverse axially-aligned apertures 'I2 and i3 adapted to receive a pin l/i for securing the forward ends of the separable throat-members in the aforesaid recess of the trigger-plate. Again, the aperture 72 in the tongue 1G of the right-hand throatmember is made of sufficiently greater diameter than the diameter of the pin 74 Vso as to form a loose fit thereon and hence permit the right-hand throat-member to move or rock laterally to and from the left-hand throat-member.

The body-portions 62 and 63 of the separable throat-members 60 and 6| embody integral relatively-thin side walls 15 and 'i6 respectively, eX- tending upwardly substantially vertically therefrom, the outer faces of the side walls being in the vertical planes 0f the corresponding outer faces of the throat-members, while the inner faces of the respective side walls are laterally offset outwardly with respect to the inner faces of the relatively-thick body-portions of the respective throat-members, as shown in Figs. 6 and '7.` Formed on the inner faces of the throatmembers are longitudinal grooves 1l and "i3 respectively. The grooves constitute substantiallycylindrical surfaces of a revolution which intersect, at their forward ends, the semicylindrical collar-portions 68 and 69 respectively of the throat-members and extend upwardly and reari wardly therefrom. The portion of each groove which intersects the inner fa-ce of the relativelythick body-portion of its respective throat-member is relatively deep and substantially-quadrantshaped in cross section, whereas the intersection of each grooye with the laterally-offset relativelythin side wall of its respective throat-member is relatively shallow, the upper longitudinal edge of each shallow groove constituting a relativelynarrow shoulder. These shoulders ofthe respec- `tive throat-members are hereinafter referred to as the cartridge-restraining lips 7S and 86 thereof respectively. Moreover, the grooves TI and 18 blend at their rear ends into relativelyshallow substantially-rectangular clearance-recesses 8l and 82 milled or otherwise formed in the inner faces of the rear-end porti-ons of their respective throat-members. cesses extend upwardly to form longitudinally- 75` extending shoulders 83 and limmediately be- The clearance-relowf; the fupperzedges. of the. respective. side walls :and S16; andforwardlyto; intersect the bottom edges of substantially'eV-shaped notches. 85:. and v. nformed therein, each clearance-recess,andits respective-V-shaped..notch, being providedv for permitting thefrimf a cartridge tov move upwardly in the.magazine-throat-vwhen the cartridge is engaged and moved forwardly therein" bythe breech-bolt, as hereinafter-described. Inaddition tothe aforesaid groove and clearance-re-l cessv formed in theinner face-offeach throatmember, a'relief-cut is formed vertically therein and more particularly in the inner face ofthe body--portionofeachI throat-member.' Each relief-cutis indicated at 81 and respectively and extends nfrom the Vtongue-portion of -its respective throat-'member rearwardly to the rear end of the'reach thereof; the relief-cut 88 `inthe lefthand `throat-'member being substantially parallel tothe inner face of itsthroat-member, whereas the relief-cut 81 in the inner face ofthe righthand throat-member makes a slight angle with respect thereto such that the vdepth of -the reliefcut is slightly greater at its forward end than at its rear end.

Now when the separable throat-members, together with the cartridge-elevator, are assembled in the verticalaperture 45 of the trigger-plate by means of the aforesaid pinsli'iand 14, the elevator. constitutes aseparator which holds the oppositely-disposed throat-members loosely in substantially-parallel relationship and slightly spaced apart at their .forward ends, as indicated clearly in Fig. 5. The oppositely-disposed reliefcuts 81 and 88 .of the respective throat-members provide a.slot for the vertical movement ofthe elevator therebetween, the slight taper .giventol the relief-cut `81 of the right-hand `throat-member providing freedom for. movement ,ofv the -latter laterally with respect .to.theelevatorandthe. left-hand throat-member, the latter, condition being assured by the aforementioned loose ts which the pins 41. and. make.. in the.corresponding apertures of the ,right-hand throat-member.

The oppositely disposed. complementarygrooves 11 and,18 ofthe respectivethroat-members provide a continuous cartridge-passage. which extends from the semi-.circular collars B8 and 69 at theforward ends ofithe respective throat-members rearwardly tov` the complementary clearance-recesses 8l and 82,A the transverse dimension of the cartridge-passage being at all times slightly greater than the rim diameter of a cartridge so as to enable a cartridge to move freely longitudinally therethrough from the magazine. of the firearm. Moreover, when the separable throat-members are in substantially-spacedparallel relationship, the cartridge-restrainingV lips 19 and 80 respectively of the cartridge-passage are spa-ced apart laterally a distancesufli cient t0 permit the body of "a cartridge to be moved upwardly `out of the cartridge-passage'by" the elevator. On the other hand, when the righthand throat-member is displaced laterally in'- wardly toward the left-hand throat-member; theaforesaid lips 19"and 8D"of the cartridge-passagev are moved together so that the distancen therebetween is less than the diameter'ofthe body-portion of a cartridge inthe cartridge-passage, the-- lips thereby `constituting stop-means forpositively holding or restraining the cartridge from moving orl tilting upwardly'out ofrthe magazine-- throat.

The latter-circumstancee is one which* it-is desirableto achieve 1 at thetimefthe '-'breechebolt is 'ini breech-closing..position so '.as: to'prevent the next-.succeeding cartridge. in a.; magazine.;- from becomingjammed withthe cartridge alreadyfin the;magazinefthroatfand, to this end;. the rside wall of theright-hand throat-member is, provided, on itsfouter face and 'adjacent its fori wardend, with a'lcam-lugUSS joined integrally or otherwise secured. thereto; and 4arranged to lie in the vpath of .a portion of the breech-bolt, as shownfclearly-inFig, so .that when the latter is moved into breech-closing position,4 a portion of the breech-bolt will engage thecam-lugllY and cam the right-hand vthroat-member inwardly laterallyv relative to the left-handthroat-member, thereby diminishing the-lateralV spacingl of the cartridge-restraining llips Y 1Q and '80 of the cartridge-passageso as'to positively hold the car-- tridge therein from moving orv tilting upwardly. This condition prevails as long as the breech-bolt is in breech-closingV position and also while the heel 31 of the Vbreeclr-bolt. is being swung downwardly out of lockingfengagement with the locking-notch, 21 in the'topj-wall 2li-of the receiver.

However, shortly afterthe breech-bolt beginsy to move rearwardly out` of'breech-closing'position, it disengagesthe cam-lug 89 yof the right- Y hand throat-member,I and the latter, being `free to move laterally, is readily displacedoutwardly by the force'of the'spring-actuated cartridgeelevator 42 acting to lift acartridge in the cartridge-passageof the magazine and` to position its cut-off 5I in the Apath of the 'cartridge'beingfed from the magazine." As a consequence of the outwardmovement ofthe right-hand throatmember, the cartridge-restraining` lips 19 and 8B of themagazine-throatare opened-outwardly, thereby permitting the cartridge -in the cartridgepassage vto move upwardlyinto the upper part thereof. Bywayof example only, a .preferred constructiony provides forza-lateral displacement of the right-hand throat-member ofwsubstantially 0.030 inch, so: that the-,lateral .spacing of the cartridge-restraining"lips.f19 and 80 is substantially 0.025 inch vless than the diameter of the body of a cartridge. whenthe breech-bolt` is in breech-closing;position,while :the lateral spacing of the.cartridge-restraining Vlips'is sub.-

stantially 0.005 inch greaterthan the diametern ofthe cartridge-bodylwhen the breech-bolt is out ofpbreech-closing position;

Although in the vexemplary'erbodinient of the. invention, the' right-hand throat-member of` the magazine-throat `has been: described. asbeing movable laterally with'respect to .theleft-hand throat-member, it twill? be appreciatedv that the left-hand throat-member may loe-.constructed tobe such that one member-may Ybe flexed withv respect to the other, or both'membersmay be flexed with respect to eachother.. Consequently, in referring to the* movement of vone member with respect to the'other, the term move as used hereinafter and in the claims shall be understood to connote Vllexure aswell as -pivotal or rocking movement..

The operation of the rearm, and more particularly the improved cartridge-restraining means of the magazine-throat, is believed to be clear from the foregoing description, but may be described in brief as follows. Assume that the breech-bolt is in its breech-closing position, as shown in Fig. l, with a cartridge in the cartridgechamber of the barrel and a cartridge A in the magazine-throat. Under these conditions, a pori tion of the bolt is in engagement with the camlug of the right-hand throat-member whereby its cartridge-restraining lip is held closely adjacent the complementary lip of the opposite throat-member so as to effectively hold the cartridge A from moving or tilting upwardly in the magazine-throat. On pulling the trigger 63 of 'the nre-control mechanism to release the hammer 39, the cartridge in the barrel I 6 of the rearm is discharged. Thereupon, the operator pulls rearwardly on the fore-end of the actionslide bar 34, thereby pulling the rear end, and in particular the heel 31 of the breech-bolt, downwardly out of engagement with the shoulder 28 in the underside of the top wall 2B of the receiver so as to unlock the breech-bolt from the receiver, the breech-bolt pivoting about its lower forward corner in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 1. As the breech-bolt swings downwardly, the cam-surface 4l of its rib di! forces the cartridge A forward and downwardly slightly, but as soon as the breech-bolt disengages the locking shoulder 28 and begins its rearward movement, the cam-lug 89 of the right-hand throat-member is released to permit the righthand throat-member to be moved outwardly laterally by the force of the spring-actuated elevator acting to move the cartridge A upwardly therein, whereupon the cartridge-restraining lips of the throat-member are spread apart and permit the cartridge A to be moved upwardly therein by the elevator 42 into engagement with the cartridge-stop Bil at the rear end of the magazinethroat, as shown in Fig. 2. Simultaneously, the next-succeeding cartridge B is moved rearwardly into engagement with the cartridge cut-off 5l of the elevator.

When the breech-bolt reaches the end of its rearward excursion in the receiver, the elevator will have raised the cartridge A into the position shown in Fig. 3, wherein the rim or head of the cartridge is immediately in front of the front face of the breech-bolt. Consequently, as the latter moves forwardly, the cartridge A is engaged and moved forwardly thereby, the rim of the cartridge moving forwardly through the complementary clearance-recesses 8! and 82 at the rear ends of the respective side walls of the throat-members into the V-shaped notches thereof, whereupon the rim of the cartridge swings upwardly into axial alignment with the breech-bolt. As the breech-bolt approaches its breech-closing position, the said breech-bolt will re-engage the cam-lug 89 to move the right-hand throat-member inwardly and the cam surface 4l of the breech-bolt engages the lug 52 of the elevator to lower the forward end of the latter and in particular the cartridge cut-off 5| thereof, out of the path of the next-succeeding cartridge B which is immediately moved by the spring-urged follower 33 of the tubular magazine into the magazine-throat. After the breech-bolt has been swung upwardly into locking position in the receiver, the lug 52 of the elevator will be disengaged, whereupon the elevator-spring will urge the forward end of the elevator upwardly. However, the latter is unable to elevate the cartridge B in the magazine-throat since the breech-bolt has again engaged the cam-lug 89 of the righthand throat-member to move the cartridge-restraining lips of the magazine-throat together to effectively prevent the cartridge in the throat from moving upwardly therein while the breechbolt is in breech-closing position. The elements of the rearm, including the magazine-throat, are again in position for ring the next-succeeding cartridge.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. A tubular magazine repeating firearm, including in combination: a frame; a barrel mounted in said frame and having a cartridge-chamber; a tubular magazine associated with said barrel and located -below the cartridge-chamber therein; a magazine-throat supported in said frame between said tubular magazine and said cartridgechamber, said magazine-throat comprising two separable complementary throat-members oneV of which is movable bodily laterally with respect to the other; a breech-bolt reciproca-bly mounted in said frame for movement to and from breechclosing position, said breech-bolt having means arranged to engage a portion of the one throatmember of said magazine-throat when said breech-bolt is moved into breech-closing position to move said one throat-member bodily toward the complementary throat-member of said throat thereby to positively hold a cartridge from moving upwardly therein, said breech-bolt means being arranged to disengage the said one throatmember of said magazine-throat when said breech-.bolt is moved rearwardly in said frame, thereby to enable said one throat-member to move ,bodily away from the complementary throat-member of said throat and release the cartridge therein; and a cartridge-elevator pivotally mounted in said frame and actuated by said breech-bolt to move upwardly substantially vertically between said separable throat-members, said cartridge-elevator being constructed and arranged to urge a cartridge therebetween upwardly, thereby displacing said one throat-member outwardly bodily with respect to the complementary throat-member to release the said cartridge from said magazine-throat and transfer it upwardly into said cartridge-chamber.

2. A tubular magazine repeating firearm, including in combination: a frame; a barrel mounted in said frame and having a cartridge-chamber; a tubular magazine associated with said barrel and located below the cartridge-chamber therein; a magazine-throat supported in said frame between said tubular magazine and said cartridge-chamber, said magazine-throat comprising two separable complementary throat-members one of which is movable bodily laterally with respect to the other; a projection on the one throat-member of said throat; a breech-bolt reciprocably mounted in said frame for movement to and from breech-closing position, said breechbolt being constructed and arranged to engage the projection of said one throat-member of said :imagazine-'throat when `said breech-boltL-is moved llinto frbreech-closing position f :to lmove said one "throat-'member bodilytoward the complementary throat-member of said 'throatvthereby to posil'=tiv`ely`r hold a cartridge 'from movingrupwardly therein, saidl breech-bolt being'y constructed and arranged to engage the projection of the said one throat-member of said magazine- I:throat :when-.said breech-bolt vism-moved 4rearfwardly in said frame -thereby to enable said one throat-member to move bodily away from the 'scomplementary-member ofsaid throat and revleasethe;cartridgertherein; and a cartridge-ele- --vatorrpivotally mounted in saidframe and actuatedvby-.said breech-boltto lmove upwardly sub- ;stantially vertically between said separable '..throat-members, :said cartridge-elevator being :constructedandf arranged to lurge Aa cartridge therebetween upwardly, therebydisplacing said one throat-member outwardly bodily with respect to the complementary throat-memberlto;release .the said cartridge `from said magazine-throat andatransfer it upwardly into said cartridgevchamber.

I3. A tubular magazine yrepeating rearm, includingtin combination: a frame; a barrel mountyed in said frame andhavingxa cartridge-cham- ..ber; a tubular magazine associated with said barreli'and located below` the cartridge-chamber therein; a -magazine-throat supported in said frame between saidtubular magazine and said cartridge-chamber, said magazine-throat comprising two separable throat-members one of `which is movable bodily laterally with respect .to the other and provided withfa cartridge-re- 1.

-straining element; a breech-bolt reciprocably mounted in said frame for movement to and Vfrom breech-closing position, said breech-bolt .having means constructed and arranged to engage `a portion of the one separable throatmember of said magazine-throat when said breech-bolt is. moved into breech-closing .position `tomove the-said one separable throat-member and-its cartridge-restraining element bodily toward the other separable throat-member of said throat thereby to positively hold a cartridge from moving .upwardly therein, said breech-bolt means being. constructed and arranged to disengage the said one separable throat-member of said magazine-throat when said breech-boltv is moved rearwardly in said frame thereby to enable the said .one .separable throat-member and its cartridgerestraining element bodily to move lbodily away .from the. other separable throat-member of said `throat and release the cartridge therein; and a cartridge-elevator pivotally mounted in said frameand actuated by said breech-bolt to move upwardly substantially vertically between said separable Athroat-members, said cartridge-elevator being constructed and arranged to urge a cartridge therebetween upwardly, `rthereby d-is- ;placing said onev throat-member outwardly'bodily Iwi`th1respectto the complementary throat-memberto release the said cartridge from said maga- `'zine-.throatfand transfer it upwardly into said cartridge-chamber.

4. Atubular magazine repeating r-earm, including incombination -av frame a barrelA mount- "edin-'said frame and `having a cartridge-cham- "berya'tubular'magazine associated with said bar- .rel and located below the cartridge-chamber therein; :a Imagazine-throat supported in -said -frame between rsaid tu-bular magazine-'and-said cartridge-chamber, said 'magazine-throat com- "prisng `ltwo separable throat-membersyone 'of i12 said separable throat-members .being 'movable 'bodilylaterally'with respect tothe otherlandlpro- "vided with a :cartridge-restraining. element'. and a Ilateral projection; ta `breech-bolt reciprocably mounted in said frame for movement to and from breech-closing vposition, said breech-bolt -tbeing constructed and'arrangedY to engage the projection on the one*separablethroat-member"of'said magazine-throat whensad breech-bolt is moved into breech-closing 'position to move the. said one separable throat-memberY and itsicartridgerestraining element bodily toward the other.- separable throatemember of saidthroat therebyto positively hold a cartridgefrommoving upwardly therein, said breech'-:bolt being. constructedzand arranged to disengagethe .projection-ofthe'nne Vseparable throat-member `voi' said -`magazinethroat when said breech-bolt is moved rearwardly in said frame thereby to enablethe' said tone separable throat-member andits 'cartridge-'restraining element bodily to move away.' from' .the other separable throat-member of said throat and release the cartridge therein; and a cartridge-elevator pivotally mounted in said frame and actuated by `said breech-bolt' to move upwardly `substantially vertically between said -separable throat-members, said cartridge-elevator being constructed and arrangedto urge a cartridge therebetween upwardly, thereby 'displacing said one throat-member outwardly bodily ywith respect' to the complementary throat-member to release the said cartridge from said magazinethroat and'transfer it upwardly into said cartridge-chamber.

5. A tubular magazine Vrepeating firearm, including in combination: a frame; a barrely mounted -in said frame and having a cartridge-chamber; a tubular magazine associated with said bar- `rel and'located below 'the cartridge-chamber therein; a magazine-throat supported in lsaid frame between said tubular magazine and said cartridge-chamber, said magazine-throat being split longitudinally to form two separable throatmembers ymovable bodily laterally with respect to each other, each throat-memberbeing 'provided with a semicylindrical cartridge-guide groove on itsfinner face, the guide-groove ofV one throatvrmember being constructed and arranged to complement the guide-groove of the other throatmemberl to form a vpassage for a cartridge delivered thereto from said magazine; a breech-bolt 'mounted in said frame for movement to and from breech-closing position, said breech-bolt :having'means constructedand arranged to engage a portion of one separable throat-member of said magazine-throat when said breech-bolt is'moved into breech-closing position to move said one separable throat-member bodily laterally with respect to the otherY separable throatmember of said' throat thereby to constrict the cartridge-passage therein so as to positively hold a'cartridge from moving upwardly in said throat, said breech-bolt means being constructedand arranged to disengage the said one separable throat-member vof said magazine-throat when -said breech-bolt is .moved rearwardly in said frame thereby to enable said one separable throat-member to move bodily away from the other separable throat-member of said throat Y' and release the cartridge .in the constricted passage thereof; and ,acartridge-elevator pivotally mounted in saidzframe and actuated by said breechbolt to move upwardly substantially vertically between said=separable throat-members, said cartridgeeelevatorbeing .constructed fand 13 arranged to urge a cartridge therebetween upwardly, thereby displacing said one throat-member outwardly bodily with respect to the complementary throat-member to release the said cartridge from said magazine-throat and transfer it upwardly into said cartridge-chamber.

6. A tubular magazine repeating rearm, including in combination: a frame; a barrel mounted in said receiver and having a cartridge-chamber; a tubular magazine associated with said barrel and located below the cartridge-chamber therein; a magazine-throat supported in said frame between said tubular magazine and said cartridge-chamber, said magazine-throat being split longitudinally to form two separable throatmembers, each throat-member ybeing provided with a semicylindrical cartridge-guide groove on its inner faee, the guide-groove of one throatmember being constructed and arranged to complement the guide-groove of the other throatmember to form a passage for a cartridge delivered thereto from said magazine; pivotal-means constructed and arranged to support said separable throat-members of said magazine-throat in said frame for bodily movement laterally with respect to each other; a breech-bolt mounted in said frame for movement to and from breechclosing position, said breech-bolt having means constructed and arranged to engage a portion of one separable throat-member of said magazinethroat when said breech-bolt is moved into breech-closing position to move said one separable throat-member bodily laterally with respect to the other separable throat-member of said throat thereby to constrict the cartridge-passage therein so as to positively hold a cartridge from moving upwardly in said throat, said breech-bolt means being constructed and arranged to disengage the said one separable throat-member of said magazine-throat when said breech-bolt is moved rearwardly in said frame thereby to enable said one separable throat-member to move bodily away from the other separable throat-l member of said throat and release the cartridge in the constricted passage thereof; and acartridge-elevator p-ivotally mounted in said frame and actuated by said breech-bolt to move upwardly substantially vertically between said separable throat-mem-bers, said cartridge-elevator being constructed and arranged to urge a cartridge therebetween upwardly, thereby displacing said one throat-member outwardly bodily with respect to the complementary throat-member to release the said cartridge from said magazinethroat and transfer it upwardly into said cartridge-chamber.

7. A tubular magazine repeating firearm, including in combination: a frame; a barrel mounted in said frame and having a cartridge-chamber; a tubular magazine associated with said barrel and located below the cartridge-chamber therein; a magazine-throat supported in said frame between said tubularzmagazine and said cartridge-chamber, said magazine-throat being split longitudinally to form two separable throatmembers each provided with a` semicylindrical cartridge-guide -groove on its inner face, the guide-groove of one throat-member being constructed and arranged to complement the guidegroove of the other throat-member to form a passage for a cartridge delivered thereto from said magazine; a cam-lug extending laterally from the outer face of one of said separable throat-members; means arranged to support said separable throat-members loosely in said frame 14 for bodily movement laterally with respect to each other; a breech-bolt mounted in said frame for movement to and from breech-closing position, the said breech-bolt having a projection constructed and arranged 'to engage said camlug of thev said one separable throat-member of said magazine-throat when said breech-bolt is moved into breech-closing position to move said one separable throat-member bodily laterally with respect to the other separable throat-member of said magazine-throat thereby to constrict `the passage therebetween and positively hold a cartridge from moving upwardly therein, the said breech-bolt projection being constructed and arranged to disengage the cam-lug of said one separable throat-member when said breech-bolt is moved rearwardly in said frame thereby to enable said one separable throat member to move bodily away from the other separable throatmember of said throat and release the cartridge in the passage thereof; and a cartridge-elevator pivotally mounted in said frame and actuated by said breech-bolt to move upwardly substantially vertically between said separable throat-members, said cartridge-elevator being constructed and arranged to urge a cartridge therebetween upwardly, thereby displacing said one throatmember outwardly bodily with respect to the complementary throat-member to release the said cartridge from said magazine-throat and transfer it upwardly into said cartridge-chamber.

8. A tubular magazine repeating rearm, in-

cluding in combination: a frame; a barrel mount` ed in said frame and having a cartridge-charnber; a tubular magazine associated with said barrel and located below the cartridge-chamber therein; a magazine-throat supported in said frame between said tubular magazine and said cartridge-chamber, said magazine-throat comprising two separable throat-members movable bodily laterally with respect to each other, each having a semi-tubular portion at its forward end, an upwardly-projecting side-panel intermediate its semi-tubular portion and its rear end, and a guide-groove on the inner face of its respective side-panel, the said semi-tubular portion, sidepanel, and guide-groove of the one separable throat-member of said magazine-throat being constructed and arranged to complement the corresponding semi-tubular portion, side-panel and guide-groove of the other throat-member; a breech-bolt reciprocably mounted in said frame for movement to and from breech-closing position therein, said breech-bolt having means constructed and arranged to engage a portion of one of said separable throat-members of said magazine-throat when said breech-bolt is moved into breech-closing position to move the said one separable throat-member including its semi-tubular portion, side-panel and guide groove bodily laterally into complemental relationship with the corresponding parts of the second separable throat-member of said throat thereby to positively hold a cartridge from tilting upwardly therein, said breech-bolt means being constructed and arranged to disengage the said one separable throat-member of said magazine-throat when said breech-bolt is moved rearwardly in said frame thereby to enable the said one separable throat-member including its semi-tubular portion, side-panel and guide-groove to move bodily away from the corresponding parts of the other separable throat-member of said throat and release the cartridge therein; and a cartridgeelevator pivotally mounted in said frame and hiding mounted in said frame and having a cartridgeactua-ted bysaid lbreech-bolt to .moveupwardly substantially 'vertically between saidseparable Ithroat-members, said cartridge-elevator being constructed and arranged to urge a `cartridge therebetween upwardly, thereby'displacing said 5 one throat-memberoutwardly bodily-with respect tothe complementary throat-member to release the said cartridge from said magazine-throat Aand transfer it upwardly into said cartridge-chamber.

k9. A tubular magazine 'repeating'rearm in- 10 in combination: a frame; `a barrel chamber; n:a tubular `magazine associated with said barrel #and `located below the cartridgefchaniber' thereina magazine-throat supported 15 in sai'd'framebetween said'tubular magazine and said cartridge-chamber, said magazine-throat comprising two separable throat-members movable bodily laterally with respect to -each other,

each having a semi-tubular portion at itsA forward v20 y 'endfan upwardly-projecting. side-'panel intermediate its'semi-tubular portion and its rear end,

and 'a guide-groove on the inner' facef'of its respective side-panel, the said semi-tubular portion, side-panel, and guide-groove ofthe one V25 separable throat-member of said Ymagazinethroat being constructed and arranged to'complement the corresponding semi-tubular'portion, `side-panel andguide-groove of the other throatthereby to positively hold a cartridge from tilting upwardly therein, saidv breech-bolt -beingcon- Astructed and arranged'to disengage the projec-fii tion of said one separable throat-member of said magazine-throat when said breech-bolt is moved rearwardly-in said frame thereby to enable the said one separable throat-member including its semi-tubular portion, side-panel and guide- '360 groove to move bodily away from the corresponding parts of the other separable throat-member of said throat and release the `cartridge therein; and a cartridge-elevator pivotally rmounted in said frame and actuated by said breech-bolt tos55 move upwardly substantially vertically between said separable throat-members, said cartridgeelevator being constructed and arranged to urge a cartridge therebetween upwardly, thereby displacing said one throat-member outwardly bodily-i60 with respect to the complementary throat-member to release the said cartridge from said magazine-throat and transfer it upwardly into said cartridge-chamber.

10. A tubular magazine repeating rearm, in-.f=.:5 cluding in combination: a frame; a barrel mounted in said frame and having a cartridgechamber; a tubular magazine associated with v-said barrel and vlocated :below the cartridgechamber thereinra magazine-throat Ysupported in said frame betweensaid tubularmagazineand said cartridge-chamber, -said ,magazine-throat comprising two 4separable throat-members movable laterally vwith 'respect 4to each msnen-each `having a semi-tubular portion at its forward end, vvan upwardly-projecting vside-panel intermediate its semi-tubular portion and its rearY end, and -a guide-groove, the latter Abeing formed on the inner face of its respective side-'panel and provided with a cartridge-restraining lip -at its upper edge, the said semi-tubular' portionfside-panel, guidefgroove and cartridge-restraining lip of the yone separable throat-member of -said 'magazinethroat being constructed and arranged to complement the corresponding semi-tubular portion, Y side-panel, guide-groove and cartridge-restraining lip of the otherthroat-member; a projection comprising a `cam-surface'extending outwardly laterally from thefouter face of-said one separa- `ble throat-memberv of said magazine-throat; -a

breech-bolt reciprocably mounted in said receiver for movement to and from breech-closingposition therein, saidbreech-bolt 'having afportion constructed andfarranged to engage the camsurface Aof said one separable throat-member of said magazine-throat lwhen-said breech-bolt is moved into breech-closing position tomove the said one separable Y throat-member including its 'semi-tubular portion, side-panel, guide-groove and cartridge-restraining lip 'bodily laterally into complemental relationship "with the corresponding parts of the second throat-member of 1 said throatwhereby said complemental cartridge-engaging lips coact to positively hold a cartridge from tilting upwardly therein, said breech-bolt portion being constructed and arranged tofdisengage the cam-surface of said one separable Vthroat-member of said magazine-throat when said breech-bolt is moved rearwardly in said frame'thereby to enable the said one separable throat-member including itsY semi-tubular 'por- "tion, side-panel, guide-groove and cartridge-re- "straininglip thereof to move bodilyfaway from `the correspondingrparts of the otherseparable throat-member of' saidY throatand release the cartridge therein; and a cartridge-elevator pivotlally mounted in said frame 'and actuated by` said `breech-bolt vto move upwardly substantially Vertically between said separable throat-members,

'said cartridge-elevator being constructedv andarranged to urge a cartridge therebetween upwardly, thereby displacing said one throat-member outwardly bodily with`v respect to the complementary throat-member to releasethe said cartridge from said magazine-throat and transfer it upwardly into said cartridge-chamber.

FREDERICK L. HUMESTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in'the y'le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Na-me Date Y2,146,941 Crockett Feb. 14, 1939 2,270,408 Burton Jan. 20, 1942 

